c.1914 Three Bedroom Iowa Home With Unpainted Woodwork $75K

c.1914 Three Bedroom Iowa Home With Unpainted Woodwork. Nice home with brick fireplaces and close to restaurants and shops.

721 N Ash St, Ottumwa, IA 52501    $75,000

• Contact Realtor: Anthony Gevock
• Google Map
• Niche

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Pros

1. Affordable Housing & Cost of Living
   Homes are relatively inexpensive. The median home price is much lower than national averages, making homeownership more accessible. 
   Rents are also modest compared to many places.

2. Historic Architecture / Character
   Ottumwa has several historic districts and buildings (churches, homes) with architectural styles like Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, etc.
   Some streets still have brick roads; there is character to many neighborhoods.

3. Natural Beauty & Outdoor Spaces

   • The Des Moines River runs through the area.

   • There are parks and trails (e.g. Greater Ottumwa Park, Gray Eagle Wildlife Preserve, etc.).

   • Outdoor activities are accessible: hiking, fishing, green space, etc.

4. Community & Small‑City Lifestyle
   It has a more relaxed pace than large cities. Smaller population (≈25,000) means less traffic, more familiar faces, closer community ties.

5. Amenities, but on a Smaller Scale
   Downtown revitalization efforts, a number of locally owned shops/restaurants, festival and event spaces (Bridge View Center, etc.). 
   For a city its size, there are things to do: parks, cultural events, variety of restaurants.

6. Commute & Location Advantages
   If your lifestyle doesn’t require frequent access to a big metro, Ottumwa offers a trade‑off: lower cost in exchange for being further from larger cities. Commuting locally is easier in many cases.

---

Cons

1. Higher Crime Rates
   Crime is one of the major concerns.

   • Both violent crime and property crime rates are significantly above national averages.

   • For example, property crime is over 3,000 per 100,000 in some reports. Violent crime also often significantly above what many people expect.

   • Some neighborhoods are reported to have higher safety concerns than others.

2. Economic & Employment Challenges

   • Some reports suggest limited high‑paying job opportunities locally.

   • The area has dealt with economic decline in certain sectors, leading to poverty / lower incomes in parts of the city.

3. Education Quality Mixed / Concerns

   • Some residents feel the schools are underperforming compared to state/national averages.

   • School ratings tend to be low in certain metrics.

4. Maintenance / Blight Issues in Some Areas

   • Some properties are in disrepair; there are condemned homes in parts of town.

   • Infrastructure and upkeep vary a lot by neighborhood—some feel rundown or neglected.

5. Limited Big‑City Conveniences

   • For specialized services, large‑scale cultural/entertainment offerings, minor road & transit options, you may need to travel.

   • Public transit options are minimal; owning a car is often necessary.

6. Drug / Substance Abuse Issues

   • Some residents point out that drug use is a serious problem in certain parts of town.

   • That can exacerbate crime, blight, and community stress.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*